News:

What's new as of 2-23-2006?

Hard to believe it's been over a year since my last update here.  Biggest news of course is Jason Coutler Arcuri joining the family on October 25th, 2005.  Secondary news includes Mike trying to sail a Hobie Cat over the summer, Isa learning to use the potty around the turn of the year, and Mike starting a 12 week paternity leave on Feb 10th, 2006.

What's new as of 1-30-2005?

• Well after 2 weeks in Utah for Christmas and New Years, and then a tough week of single-dadding for Isa while Erin was in Canada on business, and then the whole family getting sick (Isa 1st, then Mom, then Dad)... things are pretty much back to "normal" around here.
   
• Erin:
  • She's been on a 30 hour/week work schedule since November, and she loves it.  It's been really good to get her life in balance.  Mon, Tues, and Weds are still long days for all of us - but then she's home with Isa Thurs-Sun each week.  The pay is less of course - but I doubt we'll miss the extra money.  We certainly haven't so far...
• Isa:
  • She's turned 18 months, and her vocabulary and pronunciation, and gymnastic abilities increase every few days.  She's good with crayons, pens, and stickers now. She runs pretty darn fast, and climbs pretty well too.  Still loves people, animals, pictures, books, Elmo, etc. She's been having a lot of fun throwing some small super bouncy balls around the last few days.
• Mike:
  • I've started keeping a journal recently (that one's on my hard drive)... and I've opened up a web blog in which to share some of these thoughts with others.  I've been thinking about trying to write a book... but haven't gotten started yet.
  • We've been on a bit of a mission to populate our bare walls with art work.  It has been almost 2 years that we've lived in this house now... so I think it's about time.  So far, progress has been good.  Just one piece to find for the dining room, and a large map to hang in the playroom and the main floor will basically be done.  Upstairs and downstairs are next.

What's new as of 10-16-2004?

• 3 months since I last updated the website... I guess I'm slacking these days. Here are the basics:
• I've been back at work since beginning of August, and we managed to get a new roof and new chimney built during my time off.
• Erin is trying to change to part time (3 day work week) at Microsoft, and it looks like everything will be approved soon.
• Isa:
  • Isa had her 1 year birthday party at the end of July.  Was a good time for kids and grown ups alike.
  • She learned to walk in August.  Now she walks pretty naturally, and can even handle socks on hardwood floors.
  • She's using some words and signs: dada, mama, hi (with waving), more, milk (these two still both sound like "muh" but she uses the correct signs now), eat (sign only), up (raising her arms), all done, doggie, no (with head shaking), yay (w/ clapping), bye bye (waving or sometimes kiss-blowing), night night, duck, ball. 
  • She's used to washing hands and brushing teeth after meals, and she likes to do both.
  • She likes to draw with crayons or markers, and play with alphabet magnets on the fridge.
  • She likes to read books and be read to, and point to things and ask what they are.
  • She'll follow simple commands or respond to key phrases now.  Like "go get your shoes," or "come here and give daddy a hug," or "where's daddy's nose?"
  • She likes to cheers by clinking her cup against those of everyone else at the table.
  • Isabella now weighs about 21 lbs.

What's new as of 7-12-2004?

• Well, we went to the East Coast for 2 weeks, and just got back a few days ago.  It was a terrific trip, but it involved a heck of a lot of travel in planes, trains, boats, and cars and we're glad to be staying put for a while.  Isa was a great traveller though, and even managed to sleep some on the flights even though we didn't have a separate seat for her. 
• Now Erin's back to work, and I'm back to full-time daddying.  Took Isa to the Greenlake wading pool today with all the other babies and Moms... tomorrow it's jogging stroller and swings.  With all the meals, playtime, diapers, and cleaning up after all of the above, there's really no time left for any special "while I was out on leave" projects.  I get nap times to myself, and a little time at night, but so far regular household chores and a few small things like updating this website, getting a birthday party evite created, paying bills, and calling roofers has more than filled that up.  I'd like to get some time to paint, draw, write, and work out... but it's really going to be a stretch.
• Been having a parade of contractors come through the house too, since I'm getting bids on re-roofing the place and rebuilding the top half of our chimney.  It's amazing how much bids vary from company to company.  I have roof bids ranging from $5K-$9K for the same work.

What's new as of 5-26-2004?

• Erin and I had our 2 year wedding anniversary last night.  Went to a nice restaurant called Geneva.  Had the whole place to ourselves.  Thanks Raq for babysitting!
• Mike's paternity leave starts June 19th.  6 weeks off from work to spend time with Isa!  Maybe she'll learn to walk while we're hanging out in July.

Random comments:

I occasionally meet people from Italy (either at Microsoft or in social settings), and for the last 2 years or so, every Italian I've met has been very interested in my last name and proceeded to tell me about Manuela Arcuri, a very popular, sexy Italian movie star.  Note to self: if I have another daughter, do not name her Manuela.

I've been thinking I might want to start a blog... but I haven't chosen a topic yet.  If you have an interesting idea - email me.

What's new as of 5-9-2004?

• Happy Mother's Day!  It's Erin's first.
• Isa learned to crawl about a week and a half ago.  Now that she's mobile, there's a lot more trouble for her to get into.
• 5 weeks until Mike's parental leave from work!

What's new as of 3-16-2004?

• Happy St. Patrick's Day!
• Isa is a great sitter now.  She can sit and play with all kinds of toys.  She eats mashed foods, and can chew Cheerios now.
• Her hand coordination is very good too - she can grab things that look interesting faster than we can move them out of reach.
• She's passed 15 lbs., but is probably slowing down w.r.t. gaining weight.
• We spent a long weekend skiing in Utah and hanging out with the parents over my birthday for a few days - that was a great time.

What's new as of 12-8-2003?

• We got a real video camera, so we'll be able to make longer, better quality videos now
• Erin heads back to work in 2 weeks!
• Isa weighed 12 lbs., 11 ounces at her 4 month checkup a few days ago
• Isa's sleeping quite well: 6-9 hours straight at night.
• She's rolling over from front to back and grabbing things (like her feet)
• She may be teething now, she certainly chews on her hands and other things all the time

What's new as of 10-5-2003?

• Isa must be close to 11 pounds now.  She was 10 pounds at her last doctor's appointment about 2 weeks ago.
• She makes new noises other than crying - coos, and happy noises, and sometimes she smiles briefly.  She also makes better eye contact, and is a little more coordinated.
• She's learned to suck her left thumb!

What's new as of 8-29-2003?

What's new as of 8-7-2003?